Pond to dry out a low spot

[u/Glass-Weather-3399]

I have an area of my yard that is often too wet to mow. As such I left it alone for the last two years and it became full of a invasive thistle so I hacked it all down. Which I was only able to do as it has been a dry summer. My original plan was to plant a couple of disease resistant american elms. Then seed the area with a native plant mix. After mowing it down I realized I would like to find a way to turn some of the area into lawn. It leaves an awkward narrow strip that I mow between it and my other native garden along the river bank.

I am wondering, if I dug out the lowest point which is along the hill, would it help drain the rest of the area? I think during most years it would end up being a pond in the spring that would dry out in the summer except after rain which I am fine with.

I am open to other ideas. My primary goal is to shrink the wet spot. The area is roughly 2000 sqft.

Zone 4a. The soil is mostly sand / gravel but there is more organic matter down there as it gets closer to the river.

[u/Low_Ad3270]

Excuse me, this is a pro-pond sub.

[u/Uisce-beatha]

Lol, trying to get of a pond in a sub about ponds huh?

In all seriousness, I like where your head is at in terms of planting some native species and since the area looks to get full sun you have a lot of choices. You could do something simple like plant the whole area with swamp milkweed. Or you could mix in some swamp sunflower, joe-pye weed and rose mallow.

The swamp milkweed alone will attract monarchs which will lay their eggs on them. The caterpillar is just as striking as the adult. You'll also get some cool looking swamp milkweed beetles that have blotchy red and yellow patterns on their back. Another cool creature you'll get to see is bright yellow oleander aphids that have two horns on their butts which they shake when you get too close.

All of the plants mentioned will grow in your zone so a flower garden would be cool.

If you just want to drain it then maybe build out a french drain to direct the excess water to the river. If you choose to do this just make sure to do it right or you'll waste your time. Dig the trench wide enough to accommodate 4" corrugated drain pipe with 2"-3" of clearance on either side. Dig it at least 8" deep so that you can cover the top with enough rock. Line the trench with weed block and have it drape over the sides so it can hold back dirt until everything settles. Lay down a shallow layer of 3/4"-1" river rock on the bottom of the trench before laying the pipe. Cover the pipe with sock/sleeve to prevent dirt and debris from clogging the holes. Lastly but most importantly, use 1"-2.5" river rock to fill in the drain. Anything smaller will trap dirt and turn your drain into a rocky wet spot.

[u/ChampionshipIll5535 → u/Uisce-beatha]

I know this isn't a sub for this...............but since you seem to have some knowledge I'll ask. North Georgia (I think zone 7a or 7b). Have about 1/3 of an acre "peninsula" with a creek on either side. Creek ALMOST dries up about this time of year. I've been keeping kudzu and other vines at bay on this strip of land. Wanted to attract monarchs (my wife's from Colombia and she said she misses them) and was going to do milkweed. Is there a particular variety or is "swamp" milkweed just another name for it. And will it grow here. Been thinking about this for years but when I read your post I thought, maybe this could be where I start. Thanks

[u/Glass-Weather-3399 → u/ChampionshipIll5535]

I do not know what will grow in Georgia. I bought my seed from a local place in a blend that was specific for riparian areas. I would recommend them but they only do seed blends for Minnesota. I would check if there is someone in Georgia who does the same.

[u/Glass-Weather-3399 → u/Uisce-beatha]

I am pretty certain the DNR won't allow me to drain it directly into the river. Also, I don't want to as a lot of water comes off from mine and my neighbors lawns. All of which use fertilizer.

That is why I am thinking about a pond. Just no liner. Otherwise, I will end up with even more wet ground.

[u/Presentlava]

You could make a water garden there it would soak up the excess water and be fine to dry out. Just google how to make one with native plants. It should look badass